Broncos trade Emmanuel Sanders to San Francisco for 2020 draft picks
You know that old saying about going from the doghouse to the penthouse? Yeah, that’s kind of what wideout Emmanuel Sanders is experiencing.
Via Mike Klis of 9News Denver, the Broncos are trading Sanders and a 2020 fifth-round draft pick to the San Francisco 49ers; the 49ers are sending Denver a third- and fourth-round pick next spring in exchange.
The Broncos are currently 2-5 after last Thursday’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, while the 49ers are the NFC’s last undefeated team at 6-0.
With this trade, San Francisco does not have any draft picks in Rounds 2, 3 or 4 next year. The Niners sent a second-round pick to the Chiefs for pass rusher Dee Ford.
San Francisco needed talent at receiver. Tight end George Kittle is the team’s leading pass-catcher, with 34, but next-closest is Deebo Samuel, with just 15 catches. The 49ers are currently 25th in the NFL in passing yards, with 1,287; they’re second in rushing offense, with 1,036 yards.
It was expected that the Broncos would trade Sanders before the Oct. 29 trade deadline. A 2010 third-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sanders has spent the past six seasons with Denver, topping 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first three seasons with the team.
Media caught up with Sanders as he was exiting the team facility after the trade.
“It’s hard; anytime you break up or you leave a place, it’s tough,” Sanders told CBS Denver. “We definitely had a great run out here in Denver, had a lot of great times, but obviously all good things come to an end. Looking forward to getting out to San Fran and showcasing my talent, meet the guys, hopefully add my explosiveness and my capabilities to their system and try to win.”
Caught Emmanuel Sanders as he was leaving the #Broncos facility. #4Broncos @CBSDenver #BroncosCountry pic.twitter.com/JRDtdHH3N3
— Michael Spencer (@MichaelCBS4) October 22, 2019
He noted that the 49ers’ offense is very familiar to the one he has been playing in with Denver, and thanked the fans for their energy and positive messages over the years.
The 32-year-old Sanders has 30 catches for 367 yards and two touchdowns this year.
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